US-12617666-B2 - Touchless and data management drink dispensing device

US12617666B2US 12617666 B2US12617666 B2US 12617666B2US-12617666-B2

Abstract

A drink dispensing device including one or more processors, a drink dispensing item located above a drink container positioning area, and a first sensor to determine when a drink container is located in the drink container positioning area, where the one or more processors initiate a drink container filling operation based on a first signal from the first sensor that the drink container is located in the drink container positioning area.

Inventors

John Newton
Peter Brooke
Jacob Lockwood
Dustin Hartsfield
Michael Cheney
Gillian Callaghan
Rory Pawl

Assignees

GATES CFV Solutions, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20231229

Claims (13)

1 . A control device comprising: one or more processors configured to determine drink dispensing data; a housing with at least one inlet and at least one outlet; the housing containing a control unit and a solenoid; the control unit is configured to maintain a relative constant flow of fluid from a variable pressure fluid supply to a fluid outlet, the control unit including: a) a valve housing having an inlet port and an outlet port adapted to be connected to the variable pressure fluid supply and the fluid outlet; b) a diaphragm chamber interposed between the inlet port and the outlet port; c) a cup contained within the diaphragm chamber; d) a diaphragm closing the cup; e) a piston assembly secured to a center of the diaphragm, the piston assembly having a cap and a base; f) a stem projecting from the cap through a first passageway in a barrier wall to terminate in a valve head; and g) a spring in the cup coacting with the base of the piston assembly for urging the diaphragm into a closed position, and the spring being responsive to fluid pressure above a predetermined level to adjust a size of a control orifice; wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit the drink dispensing data to a first remote device; wherein the one or more processors are configured to transmit time of day data and order data to a second remote device; wherein the first remote device and the second remote device are two different devices.
2 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the first remote device transmits commands to the one or more processors based on the transmitted drink dispensing data.
3 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the first remote device initiates one or more actions based on the transmitted drink dispensing data.
4 . The control device of claim 3 , wherein the one or more actions is at least a product order.
5 . The control device of claim 1 , further including an orifice in the housing.
6 . The control device of claim 5 , wherein the orifice is located in the at least one outlet.
7 . The control device of claim 5 , wherein the orifice is a fixed orifice.
8 . The control device of claim 5 , wherein the orifice is an adjustable orifice.
9 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one outlet includes a first outlet and a second outlet.
10 . The control device of claim 9 , wherein the solenoid is located at a dividing section connecting the first outlet and the second outlet.
11 . The control device of claim 9 , wherein the solenoid is located at a combining section connecting the first outlet and the second outlet.
12 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid is located downstream of the control unit.
13 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the solenoid is located upstream of the control unit.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/476,849, entitled “Touchless and Data Management Drink Dispensing Device”, filed on Sep. 16, 2021, which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 63/079,631 filed Sep. 17, 2020. All of the above-referenced patent applications are incorporated in their entirety by reference. BACKGROUND DISCUSSION In the field, there are several million soft drink “discrete dispensing valves” that are activated by the customer touching a button or pushing on a lever arm by hand or the lip/edge of the cup. In either case there is a transfer (e.g., germs, particles, fluids, etc.) from the customers to the machine surface during these transactions. Unfortunately, it could be hundreds or thousands of contacts before the machine is cleaned or sanitized. In addition, there is no way for the syrup supplier to know how much syrup was dispensed. In some cases, the store will cut the syrup ratio to save money on the syrup cost or even use an un-branded imitation syrup altogether. Since there is no connection to the syrup used and the machine rental agreement, it can cost the syrup suppler considerable money as well as serving a sub-par drink. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates generally to liquid delivery systems, and is concerned in particular with monitoring dispensing data and/or providing a clean, touch-free dispensing environment. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The Newton CFV touchless discrete dispensing valve eliminates the customer touching feature and senses the cup being in position before starting the pour. When the customer pulls the cup away the sensor shuts off the flow. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid dispensing system including a contactless function is described. The CFValves in the discrete device cause the flow to be exact according to the required mixed ratio pressure/flow rate of the syrup/drink being poured (i.e. the exact ratio/flavor). The sensor that turns the flow on and off also counts the time that the syrup [at the fixed ratio] is flowing and the information is stored and/or transmitted to one or more remote devices. Thus, the syrup supplier may know the status of the inventory at the syrup supplier's customers' locations at any given time. If there is a bulge in inventory per X number of ounces of syrup dispensed then the system will indicate that a syrup supplier's customer is using a substitute. In the major brand locations where substitution of products is rare it allows the inventory control to be in real time, greatly enhancing customer service and cost saving delivery schedules. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, angles may be adjustable. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the on function may have a customized display. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the off function may be a crisp and/or sudden function. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a second sensor may be included to show when the cup is full so that it becomes more sensitive when the cup is filling. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a moving average may be utilized with a first window for the cup and a second timeframe, so when it is moving it can sense the cup is moving. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a screen may also provide instructions to the customer. In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a pressurized liquid may be introduced into a T-fitting in the chamber. The T-fitting has one branch communicating with the third conduit and another branch communicating with the chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic illustration of a liquid delivery system. FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic illustration of a liquid delivery system. FIG. 2A is an illustration of a CF Valve, according to one embodiment. FIG. 2B is an illustration of test results of the CF Valve, according to one embodiment. FIG. 2C is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid delivery system in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 3A is an illustration of a touchless system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3B is another illustration of a touchless system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3C is another illustration of a touchless system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3D is another illustration of a touchless system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3E is another illustration of a touchless system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3F is another illustration of a touchless system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 4A is illustration of a movement system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 4B is another illustration of a movement system, according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is an illustration of a dispensing system with a movement and/or blocking device, according to one embodiment. FIG. 6